Let's use chess as an analogy Quillsinister. Pieces on the board become weaker when they are devoted to protecting a backward pawn. As you know, these pieces then become devoted to defending the pawn and can't be used to develope other uses.

So, our missle defense shield has become our backward pawn. We can neither go forward with it physically, nor take it back. But we have committed it, and will now protect it, tying down other options, we could have had.

I say we play for a draw and think long term for another match.

We have some very fine people working in our Department of State. It's unfortunate our vice-president has become the de-facto SecState and Defense Secretary rolled into one.

Never the less, this does not excuse Condi Rice peddling this crap, she knows better, but it seems when all is said and done, she lacks moral courage.

Speaking of crap, what's this I hear about a uniform change for the Navy? Something to do with purple- gasp! :- \